15 15-Halloween (2/2)

My parents are going to an adult Halloween party at Town Hall, leaving us teenagers to do our thing. I think it's a safe bet that tonight there won't be any ”fooling around” on behalf of the terror everyone will be feeling.

Once school ends I rush home to pull out the scary cuddle night necessities. I pull out the extra comfy pillows from the guest room, glow sticks, some really soft blankets, the softest for me and Zayne because I'm greedy like that, some stuffed animals from Arriana's room for everyone to squeeze, and of course I pulled out the secret stash of candy bars for us to stress eat.

My mom babbles on about how nice it is that we're all friends and getting along enough to do this, and how she's happy Zayne's doing better.

”I don't know mom, we might scare him to a therapist tonight,” I smile as she gives me a side glare, ”I'm kidding.”

She and dad get ready a couple hours later while Arriana and I put the snacks out. Arriana and Tempe picked up a bunch of soda at the dollar store before coming back to the house.

Tempe sits on the couch, ”Who do you think will scream first, Zayne or Caira?”

We all look at each other, ”I don't know, depends on what we watch first. If you want Zayne to scream first we should watch The Possession, he hates bugs and there's a ton in that movie.”

”Caira is terrified of clowns, for her we'd need to watch It,” Arriana contributes.

We rock-paper-scissors it and I win in a landslide, leaving Arriana to pout as she sets up the chairs. After everything is done we agree on a movie order and wait for Zayne and Caira to show up.

Caira appears first, also bring candy, specifically gummy spiders. I pull some aside to tease Zayne with. When he shows up we all settle in. Caira lays on her side on the floor while Tempe and Arriana take the two chairs and Zayne lays on my lap on the couch.

As the movies play, Zayne is the first to scream at the sight of bugs followed by Caira at the sight of a clown popping up. Arriana hides under her blanket and munches popcorn while Tempe mostly dozes off.

Zayne has moved into the crook of my arm and is gripping my shirt tightly as he hides his face in my chest. I smile as I stroke his arm, ”I've got you.”

”Why did I agree to this? I hate you,” He mumbles into my shirt.

”I love you too.”

We all jump as Arriana screams and hides completely under her blanket at the sight of the monster in the movie jumping out. Zayne doesn't respond much better as he climbs into my lap and bundles in the blanket.

After all the really scary movies when we move to the fun kid ones like Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus, Zayne and Arriana start getting tired from all the excitement and start hesitantly dozing off. Zayne is still clenching my shirt when he falls asleep.

Tempe and Caira both manage to stay awake until the end, quietly saying goodbye as the leave. I hear Caira complain about the clown nightmares she'll have.

With it so quiet and calm, I really look down at Zayne sleeping on me and I reach up to pet his hair. It's still soft as ever.

He must like how it feels because he squirms a little, snuggling into me further as I keep petting his hair. It's comforting having him this close, this vulnerable, this relaxed again. Part of me says to slowly move and lay him on the couch but I don't want to, I don't want this to end.

I look down at where his head lays, straining to look at him resting on my shoulder and I see how cramped he looks in my lap. I want him comfortable, so very slowly and carefully I lay him back on the couch, fixing the pillows to cradle his head. After he's laying down I adjust the blankets to cover all of him and wrap them tightly around him.

I step away slowly and text his mom who's also at the party with my parents.

Zayne is asleep on my couch. Whenever you guys are done and ready you can come get him, let me know so I can wake him

Before disappearing into my room I go back over and give him a light kiss on the forehead. He doesn't even budge.

Leaving to go change, I slip into my room then into my pj pants. Normally I don't wear a shirt but seeing as Zayne is still in my house I feel a little self conscious. I pull out a beat up old t-shirt and slip it on as I go back to the living room.

Seeing him and Arriana completely tuckered out makes me tired too, so I take the blankets and pillows Tempe and Caira were using and lay down on the floor beside Zayne.

His hand is sitting by his face and I reach up to grab it, giving a quick squeeze before closing my eyes and drifting off the sleep.